Thread: Good documentry on guatemala

You will need a bittorent program to download it....

Unreported World - Guatemala Riding with the Devil 2009 10 23 Ch (download torrent) - TPB

Unreported World - Guatemala Riding with the Devil 2009 10 23 Ch 4

File Name .............: Unreported World S18E05 - Guatemala Riding with the Devil(23 October 2009)

232.85 MB/ 23:53.68mn / XviD

Unreported World visits Guatemala where reporter Seyi Rhodes's film becomes a snapshot of a society sliding into violent chaos. One hundred and four bus drivers have been shot this year in Guatemala. They're an easy target for organized crime gangs who extort up to a million dollars a year from the bus companies. Even if the drivers pay the gangs' demands, they're often shot anyway. Headquarters of the extortion rackets? The country's El Boqueron prison

Bus drivers in Guatemala City are being murdered at a rate of one every other day as part of a campaign of extortion that threatens to bring the city to its knees. Extortion is the main source of income for Guatemala's criminal gangs, earning them millions of dollars a year, and the drivers are killed to instil fear as the gangs maintain their grip on the city.

The extortion of buses began nine years ago. The gangs send mobile phones to the bus drivers or company owners, which they then call, demanding payment. Over the years, these gangs have evolved into highly organized criminal networks, which infiltrate the bus companies in order to protect their interests.

The crew arrive at the scene of another bus shooting, where the driver's wife passes out when she realizes what has happened. The driver's colleagues are so angry they block Calle MartÃ*, one of the main routes out of Guatemala City, in protest. The result is total chaos.

Extortion is so lucrative for the gangs they don't stop at the bus companies. Practically any business in Guatemala City is a target. There's nothing the government can do to end this culture of violence that has become part of everyday life in Guatemala City. Extortion is expected and murder accepted.

Horrible. Sounds like they are going to run out of bus drivers....I sure wouldn't do it.

Originally Posted by becky7474

Horrible. Sounds like they are going to run out of bus drivers....I sure wouldn't do it.

Actually 1 to 2 business owners are gunned down every day as well in Guatemala when they can no longer afford to pay the so called Extortion bribe monies to the local gangs....

So far for 2010 over 7 people a day (49 a week) are assassinated or gunned down during robberies or extortion attempts in Guatemala city alone....

Up from about 40 murders a week in 2008... And 25 murders a week in 2009...

And over 40 kidnaps, hijacks or murders so far this year from people just on there way from the city airport to Guatemala city...

Guatemala

CRIME: Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. In 2009, approximately 25 murders a week were reported in Guatemala City alone. While the vast majority of murders do not involve foreigners, the sheer volume of activity means that local officials, who are inexperienced and underpaid, are unable to cope with the problem. Rule of law is lacking as the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient.

Well-armed criminals know there is little chance they will be caught or punished.

The number of violent crimes reported by U.S. citizens and other foreigners has remained high and incidents have included, but are not limited to, assault, theft, armed robbery, carjacking, rape, kidnapping, and murder, even in areas once considered safe such as zones 10, 14, and 15 in the capital. To decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim, do not display items of value, such as laptops, IPods, cameras, and jewelry. The Embassy discourages carrying large sums of money. Do not resist if you are being robbed. Victims have been killed when they resisted attack. Assailants are often armed with guns and do not hesitate to use them.

Gangs are a growing concern in Guatemala City and rural Guatemala. Gang members are often well armed with sophisticated weaponry and they sometimes use massive amounts of force. Emboldened armed robbers have attacked vehicles on main roads in broad daylight. Travel on rural roads increases the risk of being stopped by a criminal roadblock or ambush. Widespread narcotics and alien smuggling activities make remote areas especially dangerous. However, there is no evidence that Americans are particularly targeted. Criminals look for every opportunity to attack, so all travelers should remain constantly vigilant.

U.S. Embassy personnel observe heightened security precautions in Guatemala City and throughout the country. Rather than traveling alone, use a reputable tour organization. Stay in groups, travel in a caravan consisting of two or more vehicles, and stay on the main roads. Ensure that someone not traveling with you is aware of your itinerary. Avoid hotels that do not have adequate security. Travel after dark anywhere in Guatemala is extremely dangerous and should be avoided altogether outside the capital. It is preferable to stay in the main tourist destinations. Pay close attention to your surroundings, especially when walking or driving in Guatemala City.

A number of travelers have experienced carjackings and armed robberies after just having arrived on international flights, most frequently in the evening. In the most common scenario, tourists or business travelers who land at the airport after dark are held up by armed men as their vehicle departs the airport, but similar incidents have occurred at other times of the day. Private vehicles, taxis and shuttle buses have all been targeted. Typically, the assailants steal money, passports, and luggage, and in some but not all cases, the assailants steal the vehicle as well.

Recently, many of these attacks have taken place far from the airport, just as travelers were arriving at their homes, or in less busy areas of the city. Victims who did not resist the attackers were not physically injured. The Embassy discourages its own employees from arriving on evening flights. Coordinate arrival times with those picking up passengers, minimize time spent standing outside in the airport passenger pick-up area, and do not walk out of the airport with valuables in plain sight. Laptops are frequently targeted, so carry them inconspicuously in a backpack or other carry-on luggage.

In some cases, assailants have been wearing full or partial police uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles, indicating that some elements of the police might be involved. Armed robberies have occurred within minutes of a tourist’s vehicle having been stopped by the police.

Avoid low-priced intra- and inter-city public buses (recycled U.S. school buses). They are often attacked by armed robbers and are poorly maintained and dangerously driven. About 365 bus drivers and passengers were killed in 2009 in robberies staged by holdup gangs that target public transportation, both urban and inter-city. Do not hail taxis on the street in Guatemala City. For shorter trips, the safest option is to take radio-dispatched or hotel taxis.

The use of modern inter-city buses somewhat improves security and safety; however, several travelers have been attacked on first-class buses on highway CA-2 near the border areas with both Mexico and El Salvador, and on highways CA-1 and CA-9 near the border with El Salvador and in the highlands between Quetzaltenango and Sololá. Be cautious with personal items such as backpacks, fanny packs, and passports while riding buses, as tourists’ possessions are a favorite target of thieves.

Since December 1999, 41 murders of American citizens have been reported in Guatemala, including eight in 2008 and eight thus far in 2009. A suspect was convicted in only one case.

Recently, there have been numerous reports of violent criminal activity along Guatemala’s main highways, including the Carretera El Salvador (Inter-American Highway). There has also been an increase in alcohol-related traffic accidents on the Carretera after daylight hours. Embassy employees have been directed not to use this road at night. There has also been a series of violent highway robberies along National Route #14 between Antigua and Escuintla, along Route #4 on the south side and west shores of Lake Atitlan between San Lucas Toliman and Chacala, and along Route #11 on the east shore between San Lucas Toliman and CA-1. Several tourists of various nationalities have been targeted along these routes in brazen daylight robberies.

In some cases tourist vans have been pulled over and passengers kidnapped, resulting in physical injury or sexual assault. One of these incidents occurred on CA-2 in Santa Rosa while the van was traveling from the El Salvador border to Antigua. Another incident occurred on CA-1 in Totonicapan as a private bus traveled from the Mexican border to Panajachel. At least two others have occurred in the past six months on Route #11 near Patalul.

Several boat owners in the Rio Dulce area of the Department of Izabal have been victimized in violent armed attacks while on their boats. In 2008, a man was killed with a machete and a woman injured in the attack after refusing to relinquish their possessions. Indigenous activists have taken foreign tourists hostage in the Rio Dulce and Livingston area. Although all hostages have been released unharmed, tensions between indigenous activists and authorities remain.

There have been “express” kidnappings in recent years, primarily in Guatemala City, in which kidnappers demand a relatively small ransom that they believe can be quickly gathered. U.S. citizens, including young children, have been kidnapped in recent years. Some kidnapping gangs are known to kill their victims whether or not the ransom is paid.
Violent armed robberies, including those committed during daylight hours, are becoming more common in all areas of the country. Persons carrying laptop computers and expensive cell phones are often targets. Areas that offer wi-fi computer services have been targeted; several individuals have been killed and their laptops taken upon departure from these establishments after they were seen using their computers in public. Avoid carrying laptop cases or anything that resembles one, even if they do not contain laptops.

Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are active in all major cities and tourist sites, especially the central market and other parts of Zone 1 in Guatemala City and Antigua. For security reasons, the Embassy does not allow U.S. government employees to stay in hotels in Zone 1 and urges private travelers to avoid staying in this area. In a common scenario, an accomplice distracts the victim, while an assailant slashes or simply steals a bag or backpack while the victim’s attention is diverted.

Carjacking and theft of items from occupied vehicles are becoming more common. Often the assailants are on motorcycles and pull up alongside a car stopped at a traffic light. The passenger on the motorcycle is armed and the assailants are able to flee the scene quickly. In some cases, the vehicle occupants were visibly using their cell phones or other handheld devices. Avoid using electronic devices in traffic or leaving purses on seats in plain sight.

As in other countries, criminals also use a number of scams to steal money and possessions from tourists in Guatemala. In one popular scam, robbers place a nail in a parked vehicle’s tire. The vehicle is then followed by the robbers who pose as “good Samaritans” when the tire becomes flat and the victims pull to the side of the road. While “help” is being rendered, the contents of the car are stolen, often without the knowledge of the victims. However, in some cases, the robbers have threatened the tourists with weapons. Parking areas in and around the Guatemala City International Airport are particularly prone to this crime.

In another scam, victims are approached in a hotel, restaurant or other public place by an individual claiming that there is some sort of problem with his or the would-be victim’s automobile in the parking lot. On the way to investigate the “problem,” usually in a remote or concealed area near the parking lot, the robber pulls a gun on the victim and demands cash, credit cards and other valuables.

A third popular scam involves various attempts to acquire a victim’s ATM card and PIN number. Some sophisticated criminals have even placed electronic boxes outside ATM kiosks to record the PIN numbers of unsuspecting victims who believe they must enter their PIN numbers to gain entry to the ATM foyer.

After recording PIN numbers, robbers then steal the owner’s ATM card to complete their crimes. There have been a number of incidents in which foreigners have been robbed immediately after making a large withdrawal from local banks. While complicity by bank employees is strongly suspected in these crimes, so far the police have made no arrests. There are dozens of techniques scammers can use to rob victims of money and possessions. While most people mean no harm, always be cautious when strangers approach you for any reason or make unusual requests.

The main road to Lake Atitlan via the Inter-American Highway (CA-1) and Sololá is safer than the alternatives, though attacks in recent years have made traveling in a caravan highly recommended. Robbery, rape and assault have been frequently reported on secondary roads near the lake, with the highest number of incidents occurring on the RN-11 (Las Trampas road) parallel to the east side of the lake. Robbers have used mountain roads advantageously to stop buses, vans and cars in a variety of ways.

Armed attacks have occurred on roads from Guatemala City to the Petén. Visitors to the Mayan ruins at Tikal are urged to fly to nearby Flores and then travel by bus or tour van to the site. Violent attacks have occurred in the Mayan ruins in the Petén, including in the Cerro Cahui Conservation Park, Yaxha, the road to and inside Tikal Park, and in the Tikal ruins, particularly during early morning sunrise tours of the ruins. Tourist police (POLITUR) patrols inside the park have significantly reduced the incidence of violent crime inside the park, but travelers should nevertheless remain in groups, stay on the principal trails leading to the Central Plaza and the Temple IV complex, and avoid remote areas of the park.

Security escorts for tourist groups and security information are available from the Tourist Assistance Office (ASISTUR) of INGUAT (the Guatemalan Tourism Institute) at 7a Avenida 1-17, Zona 4, Centro Cívico, Guatemala City. INGUAT’s ASISTUR division has 24-hour/seven days per week direct telephone numbers for tourist assistance and emergencies. These are (502) 2421-2810 and (502) 5578-9836. The fax is (502) 2421-2891. ASISTUR also maintains regional offices in all major tourist destinations in Guatemala, and the regional delegates provide rapid and appropriate assistance to crime and accident victims. INGUAT may be reached by its toll-free number within the United States at 1-888-464-8281. You may also simply dial 1500 in Guatemala to reach INGUAT Tourist Assistance, or contact INGUAT by email. Travelers may also wish to visit INGUAT’s web site. Tourist groups are advised to request security escorts from INGUAT.

There have been no incidents of armed robbery of groups escorted through the Tourist Protection Program. The request should be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail and should arrive at INGUAT at least three business days in advance of the proposed travel. Requests should be directed to the attention of the Coordinator of the National Tourist Assistance Program, and should provide the itinerary, names of travelers, and model and color of the vehicle in which they will be traveling. Travelers should be aware that INGUAT might not be able to accommodate all requests.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Back to Top
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Guatemala is 122 / 123 / 120
POLITUR (a joint national police/INGUAT initiative) is present in all major tourist destinations. They should be contacted in case of any criminal incident in such areas, even if minor.

Give me a break Bel-air! Is this your cheesy attempt to promote Panama by bashing another country? I've lived in both countries and I can attest that most of the zones in Guatemala City are safe similar to any big city in the U.S. The bad zones are dangerous because they are gang and drug infested. Every major city has dangerous zones, even your beloved Panama City. I'd like to see you spend a night in Colon walking the streets and see how safe you feel.

Who were the main victims of violence in Guatemala? Bus drivers? Gang bangers and drug dealers? Well if you are none of the above then you are not likely to be a victim. If anything Panama is getting much worse with violent crime. Just read the papers and there's another murder almost daily. The problem with Panama is ex-pats are now becoming the victims. That should concern you. If you follow Panama-Guide you can track the recent murders. I know an ex-pat was murdered in Boquete this past week.

Having said that, I personally would not live in Guatemala City because of bad air pollution and high crime and there is nothing there worth living near. However, Guatemala is a big country. La Antigua and Lake Atitalan are totally safe cities where you can walk around at night and they make great retirement destinations.

Please don't spread unnecessary fear and propaganda especially when it is used to falsely promote another country that has similar problems.

So are you saying felicity that the documentary is wrong? That the people that died in the documentary did not actually die? That business owners are not being shaken down?

I did not make the documentary the unreported world did for channel four a British network.....

I not promoting Panama, I have not even been there for 6 months...

Here is another documentary I just found but did not watch it yet but will sometime this week...

If anyone is interested here it is.......

Guatemala - Killers Paradise

Guatemala - Killers Paradise Torrent - btjunkie



Title........: Killer's Paradise
Runtime......: 00:49:50 (74,744 fr)
Genre........: Documentary
Languages....: Spanish, English
Translations.: English subtitles
Info URL.....:
Purchase URL.:
__________________________________________________ ___________Summary__

In Guatemala today, women are being raped, mutilated and murdered in
their thousands. Maria Isabel was one of more than 1,500 Guatemalan
women who have been murdered in the last four years. This documentary
investigates how a man can escape a rape charge if he marries his
victim provided she is over the age of 12 and having sex with a minor
is only an offence if the girl can prove she is Γ??honest' and did not
provoke the attack. In some Guatemalan communities it is accepted
that fathers can introduce their daughters to sex and a battered
wife can only prosecute her husband if her injuries are visible for
more than ten days.

In this culture of violence, where women are the prey, attacks have
become accepted, even common place. Their murderers know they stand
little chance of being caught because most murders are never
investigated and no one is charged. Today, in Guatemala City, barely
a day goes by that a mother, a student or a housewife isn't found
dead. Rosa Franco says she will not stop demanding justice for the
murder of her teenage daughter Maria Isabel even though both she
and her teenage sons are constantly intimidated by those she thinks
may be responsible for her brutal killing.

__________________________________________________ __________Encoding__

File Name....: Guatemala - Killers Paradise (2006-TVRip-d0x).avi
File Size....: 449 MB (or 460,786 KB or 471,844,864 bytes)
Frames.......: 624x352 (1.77:1) [=39:22] @ 0.206 bits/pixel
Video Codec..: XviD @ 1130 kb/s
Audio Codec..: MP3 @ 128 kb/s (64/ch, stereo) CBR
__________________________________________________ _______________d0x__

Bel-air... what is your problem? Sure people are being murdered every day in Guatemala. But it's the same with Panama. Pick up your La Prensa today and guess what you'll see? Another dead body. But should you be scared to live in Panama? Of course not... although you better be careful because your drinking buddy may have a "Wild" side if you know what I mean. Panama attracts a lot of fugitives running from the law and they tend to victimize other foreigners... i.e. YOU. Guatemala has its own internal problems with their own people. But as a foreigner living in a good area in Guatemala it's not only safe but enjoyable. Guatemala is full of history and culture. It is a fascinating place to visit and live.

I not even living in Panama, nor have I been there in months, I not comparing any place to Panama or trying to promote Panama, why would I ???

I have nothing to gain by it....

But many on this board have asked for info on different countries in the general region....


I have no problem felicity...

But After just finished watching... Guatemala - Killers Paradise

Seeing so many young women raped and murdered and the police doing nothing about it is disturbing, regardless of which country you are talking about....

I urge anyone to download the documentaries and watch for themselves.

I must admit I was disturbed by it all, anyone with even half a heart would be....



Take care felicity....

Originally Posted by BEL-AIR

But many on this board have asked for info on different countries in the general region....

Info? That is your problem Bel-air. A sad propaganda piece does not define a country. I run into so many ignorant gringos living in Panama who have never set foot into other countries yet they hold such strong negative opinions about them... I wonder why?

Tikal holds amazing Mayan history. La Antigua was once the capital of all Central America. Ruins are preserved everywhere. Art, culture, heritage and beauty attract thousands of visitors. Thousands of peace corps, missionaries, students live in Guatemala. Go to their blogs and read about their daily lives... quite extraordinary and rarely a mention of crime. Get some real info and then make a visit there and see what Guatemala is really like.

I agree with Felicity that Guatemala is a beautiful place; probably the most picturesque of Central America. The colors of clothing, houses, and chicken buses in central and northern Guatemala is awesome. Felicity didn't mention one of the nicest places to visit...Lago Atilan, a beautiful high altitude lake with volcanoes forming one side. Internet availability is pretty decent; far better than Belize. Antigua is a much visited medium sized city with dozens of language schools and people from all over the world in residence. Tikal is huge but not the easiest place to get to. The Rio Dulce area is quite nice. I've made a couple motorcycle trips through Guatemala and liked it a lot. I haven't done much research on health care or their version of a pensionado visa but I'd take a closer look if Panama doesn't work out for me.

I'm not aware of any Pensionado program in Guatemala, but Permanent Residency visas can be obtained quite easily. According to a lawyer, all you need is proof that you have $50,000 liquid net worth and that's it. You need bank statements to prove your net worth. If you don't have the funds it's possible to borrow money from a relative to pad your account and print out your statement and then return the money to them. You will need a criminal report from the country you lived in the past 5 years and a birth certificate. All of these documents must be notarized and apostiled in the country of origin. Attorney costs are under $1,000 and it takes 1 year to complete. Meanwhile you can live as a tourist where every 90 days you can pay an attorney to stamp your passport so you don't have to leave the country.

Bank accounts are easy to open even as a tourist. You need an attorney to vouch for you (2 letters of recommendation) and can use their office address as your home address. Most banks will allow you to choose either dollars or quetzales. As a tourist you can only open a savings account but it does come with an ATM card that works everywhere. It takes less than 15 minutes to open a bank account even for U.S. citizens. No other paperwork is required other than your passport.

You can buy a health plan that covers all of Central America that includes the best hospitals in Guatemala City.

Here is some info about Guatemala that I found on the net. Overall, it's quite accurate.

**************

Why Guatemala? – Because Guatemala has not yet caught on with those seeking retirement tax havens. Once the word gets out the prices will soar and the crowds will come. Offshore havens start out inexpensive and then the prices rise and keep rising. Soon things get too expensive and out of price necessity another new haven pops up with lower prices for those that can not afford the existing havens that have been built up and priced up. The early bird catches the worm. Welcome to Guatemala.

Where is Guatemala? - Don’t be shy this is a common question. Please see the map below. Guatemala is a short flight from most destinations in the USA (2 hours approx.) and two hours fifteen minutes from Panama City, Panama. Guatemala is served by many airlines including Copa. (Copa Airlines-Vuelos directos a Sudamérica, Centro América y el Caribe).
Guatemala Map

Click To Enlarge

Guatemala Weather – Guatemala has spring weather 12 months a year with temperatures ranging between 55 degrees at night and 75 degrees during the day. It can occasionally get up to 80 degrees on a hot day. Generally the houses have no air conditioning and no heat but many do have a fireplace and one can add in a space heater if cold. Guatemala has a rainy season lasting several months like most Central American countries. The dry season is typically December through April, with slight variances. Guatemala is a tropical climate. The capital, Guatemala City and the old capital city Antigua now a popular retirement haven, is located at an elevation of some 4850 feet, which accounts for the cool weather. The elevation while slightly less than Denver, Colorado is not enough to bother anyone or make you really notice it.

Guatemala Population – 13,000,000. The capital city Guatemala City has almost one million people.

Guatemala Culture and Language – The country is a very modern civilized country but does have rural areas that are not developed. Guatemala City has everything you would find in North American cities. Prices are low for many things like food, alcohol, entertainment, maids, gardeners, drivers, workers etc. There are a lot of Mayan Indians in the country and they have several dialects of language but Spanish is the dominant language. English will work only at the better hotels, shops, restaurants, banks, lawyers’ offices and so forth. The average Guatemalan does not go around speaking English. The people are very family oriented. There are numerous Catholic and Evangelical Christian Churches.

Guatemala Holidays –

* January 1st – New Year
* March/April – Easter (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday)
* May 1st – Labor Day
* June 30th – Army Day
* August 15th –Guatemala City only holiday
* September 15th – Independence Day
* October 20th - Celebration of the Revolution of 1944
* November 1st - All Saints Day
* December 24th – Christmas Eve (starts at Noon)
* December 25th – Christmas
* December 31st – New Year’s Eve (starts at Noon)

Guatemala Electricity – Same as in North America.

Guatemala Currency – The national currency is the Quetzal. It currently coverts at a rate of 7.63 Quetzal to one USD. Foreign denominated credit cards are accepted widely. You can exchange money at the airport on arrival or at any bank. Banks are even open on Saturday and Sunday too. Businesses tend to go seven days a week in Guatemala.

Guatemala Entertainment – In Guatemala City or Antigua there is an abundant supply of things to keep one joyfully occupied. The theater is present, as in ballet and opera. There are numerous spa type gyms to be found around town that have the latest equipment and classes. Soccer is a popular sport as is bicycle racing. You can go into the countryside and hike, ride bikes, go to the beach, swim, dive and even surf.

Crime and Safety – Guatemala is very safe in some places and not so safe in others. Many expats and retirees reside in Antigua, which is a suburb of Guatemala City located some 40 minutes away by car. Antigua has a special police force that keeps it extremely safe, better than North American Cities. There are also numerous tourist police stationed about Antigua. People drive vespas, ride horses, take three wheeled motorcycle/taxis, horse drawn carts and of course walk. Antigua is a very artistically oriented community with many artisans selling their wares on the street and in shops. Goods are cheap. Guatemala City has numerous numbered zones. Some zones are safe and some are not. This is typical of large cities anywhere. One would probably have little or no need to go to the unsafe zones so in this way it is quite safe.
Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala

Trips into the rural areas should be planned carefully and you should not go without people familiar with the region. There have been instances of roadside robberies. They might stage an accident that is false and when you stop to help present weapons and rob you, so don’t stop use your cell phone to phone the police about the incident. Police are big on booting illegally parked cars, so park lawfully only. Again not unreasonable. The police do not go around bothering people minding their own business. Guatemala has not criminalized business like many countries and one can plan on being left alone by the government. The government is concerned with people laying hands on others violently, pointing guns at people and robbing them, and kidnapping children for the black market mostly from the locals. Guatemalan children are often adopted by foreigners and sometimes children come up for adoption that were simply put stolen. This is a deplorable crime and it is wise to avoid getting too friendly with the local children or taking their pictures in that this may alarm the parents who see you as a foreigner who they do not know anything about. Guatemala has recently loosened its money laundering laws, instead of tightening them. If you are looking for a relatively safe place to be left alone as long as you don’t bother others Guatemala is a good place to check out.

Guatemala Guns and Firearms - You can get a permit to purchase and carry concealed weapons (pistols) and own shotguns, rifles, etc even as a tourist. Guatemala wants people owning and carrying firearms to have a permit and to have the guns registered. I would say it is a very reasonable policy considering what the world is like today. Expect to pay high prices for firearms, perhaps double the USA price. Ammunition is not cheap either. Gourmet ammo is very hard to come by, so it is mostly ball with some hollow points available but let us not forget it is all about bullet placement not design of the projectile. No ammo designed to be armor piercing is allowed. Not all brands are available new. Glocks are abundant, some Berettas can be found along with other quality brands of manufacture. They have no restrictions on high capacity magazines in handguns. Silencers are not allowed to be owned by civilians. Only a licensed security company, its employees and the government are allowed to have full auto firearms. There are no laws restricting carrying of knives concealed or otherwise. Workers can often be seen carrying (not brandishing) machetes. When carrying weapons in a foreign country do sit down with a knowledgeable attorney for a nice long instructional lecture as to how the local judicial system works in that country with an emphasis on self-defense. Things are reasonable in Guatemala but some things are different and you should know this information before not after an incident.

National Tourist Board (INGUAT) – This government agency is designed to help tourists with problems they have with merchants. They will try to take your side if at all realistic. They can be contacted by phone as follows:

Guatemala City –

7 days, 8AM – 4PM – Tel. 33 130 75
Night 4PM – 9PM – Tel. 33 142 56
Weekends and Holidays: Tel. 33 142 56
Their Faxes are as follows: 3318893 and 3322881

Other Offices -

Antigua: 8320763
Quetzaltenango: 7614931
Panajachel: 7621392
Flores Petén: 9260533

Cost of Living – Real estate has gotten up there recently but you can still get a very nice condo in the city for $150,000 with three bedrooms, pool, balcony, security, enclosed parking and view in a safe zone. The condos are not built one on top of the other so there are no people looking into your windows. Your electric bill per month should be under $100.00, water bill will be about $2.00, garbage about $7.00, land line phone is about $10.00 per month for fixed cost, internet will run $25.00 to $50.00 per month depending on what type and speed of connection, a live in maid will run about $160.00 per month, and you can rent a place that is nice for $700.00 to much higher depending on size, location etc. Living on $1500 a month as a renter would be challenging but possible, $2000 a month would be easy and provide a lifestyle with a live in maid, evenings out in restaurants, clubs, trips in the country etc. If you wish to become a homeowner in Guatemala figure on annual property taxes of 0.9% (9/10 of 1%).

Guatemala has beaches but they are generally black sand and at sea level so they get hot. What is hot - well into the 90’s and even hotter at times. There is also a brown or tan sand beach as well. If you have never been on a black sand beach it is worth seeing one. The minerals in the sand sparkle and glisten as you are walking from sunlight reflections. The sand being black can absorb heat and get hot. I know you Canadians reading this are going to get excited by this since you think there is no such thing as a beach that is too hot. My advice is you are probably right for a few years anyway and then you might want a change to a cooler region. You will find beach prices to be lower than most countries in Guatemala. Guatemala has a 12% VAT tax on goods so retail prices will be higher than other countries on some taxed goods. Guatemala does not tax offshore-derived income, so it is a true tax haven.

Guatemala Property Rights – As a tourist, resident or citizen of Guatemala you are entitled to buy property and have clear title to the real estate. As a tourist or resident you have all the property rights of a citizen in Guatemala. You will have a freehold title registered in the government registry in the name of you personally, your corporation or your foundation. A foreign corporation or foundation can own property in Guatemala as well. You would be free to live in the property, rent it out, finance it, sell it etc.

Real Estate Financing – This can be a little difficult but not that bad. The banks usually wish to see one have a lawful residency in Guatemala. Then they wish to see proof of income. They will not bother with home country tax returns and home country credit reports so more privacy is possible. Loans for real property can be in USD or the local currency. If the loan is in USD you need to make the payments in USD and they will often peg the interest rate at US bank prime as a variable. 25 year fully amortized terms are available with 20% down payment and they do not require life insurance. If you can not qualify or do not wish to go through the process we can arrange a more private type of arrangement which generally requires 30% down payment and this will keep your name off of all bank records, escrows and titles if you wish. If you have the 30% down based on a fair independent appraisal on a quality piece of real estate we could arrange such terms.

Guatemala Military – Guatemala maintains a small military and navy forces. They have no military draft. Guatemala would be most unlikely to engage in any international aggressive military ventures.

Antigua, Guatemala

Guatemala Food – The food in Guatemala is excellent and inexpensive. A steak dinner for $10 is easy to find and a gourmet high-class steak dinner is perhaps $15 a person. Inexpensive wines are readily available and that would be extra but a good bottle can be as little as $7.00. The food tastes like Central American food with a strong Mexican influence but they do not favor very hot spicy seasoning at all but it is available if you prefer. Beans, rice and tortillas are usually served. Lots of fresh tropical fruits, great veggies, their breads and pastries are superb; meats and seafood are very good too. You should find the food to be most enjoyable. You find restaurants offering all sorts of ethnic foods (Chinese, French, Italian, Thai, etc) as well. Guatemala is loaded with fine restaurants and Antigua even more so.

Guatemala Shopping – Anything you can get in North America you can get in Guatemala. There are numerous malls with stores selling the popular designer labels. Guatemala malls look like North American malls. The malls have movie theaters with multiple theaters. Movies are generally in English with Spanish subtitles. There is even an Imax theater in Guatemala City. There is Price Smart in Guatemala and Wal-Mart (mega stores).

Guatemala Medical – There are numerous modern hospitals in Guatemala. Medical care costs about 25% of the USA prices. Figure on a root canal and a porcelain crown complete for $250.00. Plastic Surgery costs are very low in Guatemala perhaps below 25% of the USA prices for competent work. Prescriptions are generally not needed in the Pharmacies and drug prices are about 33% of the USA prices. Most drugs are available but you do need to know the names in Spanish or the name of the equivalent drug in Spanish. Generic drugs are popular. There are numerous Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, Herbalists, and Massage Therapists for those of you interested in alternative health care.

Guatemala Cars – The people drive reasonably well compared to other Latin America countries. Many of the cars are Japanese and Korean smaller cars. Gas is about the same price as the USA. You can easily get a Guatemalan driving license if a resident by presenting your existing drivers license. Local buses are not recommended for foreigners but there is an ample supply of taxis.

Guatemala Communications – Cell phones can be prepaid or with a plan. Coverage is like it is in North America. Internet with high-speed connectivity is readily available. Cable TV and Satellite is available. There is also an English version of Dish TV.

More info....

Introduction – This is an article dealing with the advantages of living in Guatemala for an expatriate.

Guatemala Real Estate – This is the major expense any expat will incur. Everything else is secondary. Guatemala has a lower cost of living than most other nations in Central and South America. Real estate costs are low. High-end real estate costs $900 to $1200 per sq. meter in the desirable areas. We are talking mansion style living inside of a gated community with armed guards at the gates and roving guards on bicycles or foot patrol. It is hard to find a single-family home in a gated community that is less than 500 sq. meters (one sq. meter = 10.75 sq. feet). Houses that are 800 to 1000 sq. meters are fairly common. This takes a lot of getting used to for people from other parts of the world.

Guatemalans live far more luxuriously than most people in other parts of latin america. It is still an undiscovered diamond not so much in the rough but still needing to be polished up some more. People only enter your home in the gated community if you let them through your security controls. The guard shacks have cameras that pipe an image of your guests in their cars into your house so you can see that they really are who they say they are. The houses are surrounded by 16 to 24 foot walls. The high walls often have high voltage electrified fences on top, usually razor ribbon. The wall is the outer security layer. The houses are separated from the walls by gardens, lawns, fountains etc. that makes for scenic living. This allows the people to live in houses without the bars on all the doors and windows so commonly encountered in Central and South America. Basically one enters the residence through doors in the surrounding walls and then one walks through a scenic garden area to the actual house doors to gain entrance to the residence itself.

The houses are built without air conditioning or heat as a rule in Guatemala City and Antigua. The temperature range in Guatemala City or Antigua is from 55 degrees to 75 degrees year round. Once in a while it will go down to 50 degrees at night or it might hit 80 during the day. Some houses have fireplaces. Some people use electric heaters with fans in the rooms if they get chilly at night. The rooms of the house tend to face towards the gardens, which frequently have fountains. Guatemala City not having heat or high humidity allows for wooden floors, carpets and leather furniture. One can get scenic views of the city from the higher locations in the city. The houses are generally then built further back form the walls and on elevation so as to afford a view.

Guatemala City has some condos. They are generally medium range to high end. They will have pools, gyms, social areas, enclosed parking, balconies, enclosed parking and good security.

Guatemala Crime – The Guatemala crime rate is over stated by countries that are not fond of Guatemala. Guatemala does what is best for Guatemala and does not bow down to foreign powers wishing to control the country for its own best interests versus what is best for Guatemala. One only need look at these other oppressive forces and their the violent crime rates, homeless rates, drug addiction rates, alcoholism rates, incredibly high taxes with next to no benefits, exaggerated beyond belief police powers, suspensions of constitutions and civil rights guaranteeing privacy and security, lack of healthcare coverage or lack of reasonable healthcare coverage, horrible civil law and litigation systems with unscrupulous lawyers fleecing the populace, out of control judges not sticking to the law, and large number of people in prison and then one wonders why anyone would listen to them since they cannot keep their own house in order. Then you come to the realization that Guatemala is taking the best course of action by doing what is best for Guatemala without causing harm to another country.

These other countries will depict Guatemala in a bad way. This discourages expats from moving there and deters investment capital. Sort of a way to push a country into obeying the other more powerful power. The countries pointing the finger at Guatemala are generally guilty of what they accuse Guatemala of. If you come to Guatemala you will realize it is safer than what the media indicates and is far safer than the countries pointing the finger at Guatemala.

The people are friendlier than what you might expect. The lifestyle is fantastic; the weather is superb being called the land of perpetual spring since the weather is springtime year round and you will experience freedoms foreign to you. The police are not free to conduct searches without warrants. Judges are reluctant to give out warrants in the absence of evidence. Evidence rules require more than just the police thinking getting a warrant is a good idea. Bank secrecy rarely gets violated and the same applies to corporate secrecy and attorney client privilege. Guatemala does not believe all allegations of foreign powers requesting information and requires proof positive of major criminality (not just tax issues) before any information would be turned over. Foreign prosecuting attorneys will have to waive diplomatic immunity before testifying in a Guatemala courtroom thus exposing themselves to perjury, perpetrating frauds upon the court and contempt of court. This keeps the game more honest. The foreign prosecutors do not like giving up their diplomatic immunity and in many cases have no idea if the information in heir files is true and correct and will thus avoid waiving diplomatic immunity like the plague.

Guatemala is not a criminal haven but will protect its own from privacy invasive, prison happy governments chasing people internationally for victimless crimes without any evidence on fishing expeditions to see if they can concoct cases against those they are after for whatever reasons. If the Guatemala narcotics police were to stop a truck they could run the drug dogs around the truck and if they got a hit from the drug dogs get a search warrant. If there was no hit from the dogs they could not search the truck without the owner present and if he refused to consent to the search, the police would need to go to court for a search warrant which would probably never be issued without any evidence. First comes the proof then comes the search. This is freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures and the right to privacy that so many of you can barely remember.

The beefed up private security allows the country to operate in this way allowing all these freedoms and yet remain very safe at he same time. If private security or the homeowner shoots a perpetrator like a burglar there are not going be penalties for the law abiding people. The crook will lose out big time. The big question is what was the burglar doing in the house in the first place and then it goes downhill for he burglar from here. The law is not going make a victim out of the homeowner who is scared and trying to defend his home and his family. If you are wondering gun ownership is relatively easy in Guatemala including permits to carry concealed firearms. Many popular brands of guns are available including: Glock, Beretta, Sig Sauer and Heckler and Koch. Mossberg shotguns are also common. Full auto and silencers are not considered everyday weapons for the general population and one should not plan on obtaining such weapons in Guatemala.

Guatemala Security – Guatemala has taken an approach of beefed up private security to thwart crime before it gets a chance to get started and organized. The people know that the police are not going to be able to be everywhere at once so their value in preventing crime is diminished. America of course is the opposite. They want the people to rely on the police and crime is rampant and the people in the USA will rarely ever say they feel safe. Many are afraid to venture out of their homes.

What they do in Guatemala is use private armed security guards abundantly. People live in gated communities with high walls and electrified fences. There are armed guards working the gates controlling access in and out. In some communities they scan the ID of the driver of the car as a back up. No ID, no entrance. The houses have an alarm system. The alarm notifies the alarm company and triggers a siren. Usually the security guards in the community will respond and the alarm company dispatches two armed guards on a dirt motorcycle to your house very fast. The alarm companies keep these motorcycles in the areas where their customers live at all times. These guards upon arrival will act very aggressively towards anyone they see attempting to break into your home. Rest assured once the alarm goes off the bad guys are going to take off fast because they know what happens next.

Many retail stores have a uniformed armed security guard in the front of the store and another one in the parking lot. This too tends to make for a safe parking experience. The guards are by North American standards extremely polite and humble. Nothing at all like the post 911 private security guards that used to be at the airport. The numerous malls (16 in Guatemala City) also have excellent security in the malls and the parking lots and people walk around relaxed. There are no gangs of unruly youths inside or outside of the malls. Imagine that! So the reason for all the security is so it does not ever become necessary for this security. It is to prevent crime from gaining a foothold as it has in many places in Central and South America. It is also nice to live without all the bars on the doors and windows.

Guatemala Beach Living - There are white sand beaches, tan sand beaches and black sand beaches. There are beaches on the Atlantic side and the Pacific side. Right now (summer 2008) one can get a nice three bedroom single family home on the beach (nothing between you and the sand) for $100,000. These are not mansions but very nice and comfortable homes. The weather on the beaches is going to be hotter and with more humidity. The beaches have all the services like high speed internet (one meg anyway), phone, cell phones, satellite TV or Cable TV.

Guatemala Condos – Condos in Guatemala are not abundant and thus not built one on top of another. A nice three-bedroom condo of about 200 sq. meters with a pool, social area, enclosed parking, security guards will run about $150,000. You can find some of the more modern luxurious condos with 400 sq. meters for about $1000 to $1200 a sq meter. Condos generally are built about 12 to 18 stories high. There are just about no buildings in Guatemala more than 18 stories high. The city is built to be spread out, not up.

Guatemala Mortgages – Since Guatemala has a relatively stable real estate market the banks are not scared to write mortgages. The rule is 25% down and a 25-year fully amortized mortgage. Rates should be lower than North America. They will not require life insurance of you and will write a 25-year mortgage if you are an older retired person. You will have to prove to the bank that you can make the mortgage payments but that is certainly fair.

Antigua Guatemala – This is a hidden treasure. Imagine a city with cobblestone streets, buildings that are 300 years old usually established as historic monuments, parks, good shopping, lots of stores selling artistic goods, street artists selling their wares, large amount of good restaurants and clubs, parks, people riding horses for transportation, good shopping, open air fruit and vegetable markets, all 40 minutes away from Guatemala City. When walking the street you think you are in an old section of Europe. This is the retirement community that the North Americans and Western Europeans have not yet heard of. Those from the Nordic countries are in Antigua abundantly. A beautiful villa in a gated community runs about $400,000. Antigua has it own special police department and has English-speaking Tourist Police on practically every corner. Do obey their parking regulations or they will boot your car.

Guatemala Roads and Driving – The roads are generally well maintained with lights on the side at night, not bright lights but lit up some. The drivers are sane not like some countries. Daredevil tactics and not stopping for red lights is very rare. Most of the cars are Japanese, Korean and German. Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan are cheaper here than in North America.

Guatemala Entertainment – There are museums, nightclubs, theater, opera, orchestras, sporting events (no blood sports) and Imax movie theaters. There are over 12 malls in Guatemala City. There are numerous restaurants and clubs. The food is exceptional. There are beaches and beach resorts on the Pacific and the Atlantic side. There is deep-sea fishing, diving, surfing, sailing and all sorts of water sports. If you’re bored you can go to the rain forest or even hike up a volcano and look down inside it from the top.

Guatemala Shopping – Anything you want can be found here. Maybe you’ll need a little help in the beginning when new to the country in finding it but you will soon learn where to go to find it. You will see appliances like Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Whirlpool, etc.

All the designer labels can be found here easily in the malls. We have a foreign Wal-Mart here called Hiper Pais. They have cheap prices, they deliver, they take foreign credit cards and they have massive stores in Guatemala. We also have Price Smart which is a Costco warehouse store with low prices. These stores are going to remind you of being back home.

Guatemala Domestic Help – Maids are readily available and will live in. An English-speaking maid is rare. Many maids do not read and write but do not think they will not be good maids. They work hard for their money and have a positive attitude. If you get them a TV in color, hook up basic cable, get them a prepaid cell phone with some minutes and let them eat the same food you do they will really like you. They make good nannies and can watch children. The kids will quickly learn Spanish this way because they will have to in order to communicate with her and the same might apply to you as well <smile>. Small kids also do well watching cartoons and kid shows in Spanish.

Many Spanish speakers learn English from watching TV with Spanish subtitles. The maids live in the house in small maid quarters with their own bath built in. You can hire a maid for about $200 a month maybe a little more or a little less. $250 a month is top pay. Maids will usually get off on Saturday at Noon and return to work Monday morning. Some maid will stay at the house when off and others will return to their families.

You can hire a driver, which is generally a male. You can arrange living quarters for him and then he is there when you need him. You can arrange days off for him according to your needs. A driver will generally receive $350 a month as a minimum and $500 if he speaks Spanish and English. If you wish to hire a bodyguard driver who is armed and trained (generally not necessary unless you have unusual circumstances) they will earn anywhere from $500 to $700 depending on whether or not they are bilingual and what skill set they have. Many of them have been through bodyguard training schools.

Guatemala Schools – There are 11 Universities in Guatemala. There is an American English speaking school along with other private schools as well. They offer bus service or you can chauffeur the kids back and forth. Costs start a few hundred dollars per month per child including bus and lunch.

Internet – Not a problem. Can be a ADSL line, cable Internet or satellite. Costs and installation vary prices similar to North America monthly charges. Usually residential service is a 1 Meg connection. Commercial setups will go to a 2 Meg connection. Higher than that is going to be very hard to find and extremely expensive.

Cell Phones – They are good. There are three carriers here. They have 3G connections. Many people use prepaid cell phones, which have three and four for one minutes on sale every week, which brings the cost down.

Land Line Phones – They are easily obtained, no long waits and they work like they do in other countries. Cost is modest.

Guatemala Medicine – There are numerous Pharmacies, practically on every block. Prescriptions are rarely required. Most of your medicines can be found here at about 35% of the USA price. Doctors are great here. They are thorough and personable. They take their time. The support staff you will also find to be congenial. There are numerous hospitals, which you may find to be cleaner, nicer and more attractive than back home.

Doctors make house calls. A general practitioner house call may be $25. A friend of ours had a late at night house call with a blood test, exam, injection and medication for $40. Many people do not buy health insurance here because the cost of medical care is so low. A friend had a relative go into the hospital for 10 days of care for a cost of $1400. Insurance is probably 15% the cost in the USA for better coverage. Guatemala has Chiropractors, Homeopaths, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, herbalists, Acupuncturists as well as Medical Doctors.

Was this document published by the Guatemala Tourism Board? LOL.

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

Was this document published by the Guatemala Tourism Board? LOL.

I find it interesting and at the same time disturbing as to why you feel the need to ridicule someone taking the time and effort to retrieve and share information and facts. A simple thanks would have been more appropriate or even no comment at all.

Originally Posted by Felicity

I find it interesting and at the same time disturbing as to why you feel the need to ridicule someone taking the time and effort to retrieve and share information and facts. A simple thanks would have been more appropriate or even no comment at all.

Felicity, my comment wasn't meant to ridicule you, but was definitely meant to ridicule certain parts of the article.

The following info about crime in Guatemala City is from wikipedia. In a canadian city with a similar population, you would have less than 40 murders a year while in Guatemala City it's 40/week, imagine 52 times multiplied crime.

"Crime
In 2008, approximately 40 murders a week were reported in Guatemala City alone. While the vast majority of murders do not involve foreigners, the sheer volume of activity and the limited resources makes local officials and police, who are inexperienced and underpaid, unable to cope with the problem. The judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient, hence further compounding the crime problem.[17] There have been proposals to create a criminal justice program in the country and require police officers to have such studies. Higher studies would also be coupled with higher pay. This has only remained in the discussion stage, without any advances, despite the increased criminal wave that has plagued the city and country in the past decade or so."

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

The following info about crime in Guatemala City is from wikipedia. In a canadian city with a similar population, you would have 40 murders a year while in Guatemala City it's 40/week, imagine 52 times multiplied crime.

"Crime
In 2008, approximately 40 murders a week were reported in Guatemala City alone. While the vast majority of murders do not involve foreigners, the sheer volume of activity and the limited resources makes local officials and police, who are inexperienced and underpaid, unable to cope with the problem. The judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient, hence further compounding the crime problem.[17] There have been proposals to create a criminal justice program in the country and require police officers to have such studies. Higher studies would also be coupled with higher pay. This has only remained in the discussion stage, without any advances, despite the increased criminal wave that has plagued the city and country in the past decade or so."

A couple of key points: "While the vast majority of murders do not involve foreigners" and Guatemala City has 21 zones, some of which are very dangerous and crime infested. They account for the majority of the crime statistics. So avoid the bad areas and you will be fine. Most ex-pats live in either La Antigua or Lake Atitlan both of which are not only safe areas but offer a great lifestyle, IMO better than anywhere in Panama. Where else can you enjoy perfect 60-75 degree year round weather and be able to walk to your choice of over 100 restaurants, cafes, bakeries, shops, etc.? Heck there are 4 sushi restaurants within walking distance of each other, not to mention countless Italian eateries and French bistros. The outdoor market comprises 3 entire city blocks where you can buy an abundance of fresh vegetables cheap and other household goods. But don't take my word for it. There are dozens if not hundreds of blogs written by people currently living in Guatemala and rarely if ever do you hear of crime occurring. Go ahead and Google away and learn from people who are living there right now. That will give you the best indication of what's going on at the moment from first hand experience.

Thanks Felicity for all the info. I'll try to learn more about Guatemala. Maybe the truth lies in between what you and BEL-AIR are trying to portray.

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

Thanks Felicity for all the info. I'll try to learn more about Guatemala. Maybe the truth lies in between what you and BEL-AIR are trying to portray.

Hosem1, the last thing I want to do is promote any place, especially one that I plan to move to because that would only make it more expensive for me to live there and if too many people start moving there then the bully up north may start clamping down on the ex-pats taking away our freedoms and making it harder to do banking, similar to what happened in Panama. So I am reluctantly sharing this information on this board.

And to be fair and complete, here are the negatives about Guatemala that are my opinion. Some of these may be deal breakers for you so it's good to know upfront.

- Air quality is extremely bad in the city. The smell of exhaust fumes is overwhelming. Worse than Panama City IMO.
- As you leave the city heading to Antigua air quality is much better, but because most people still cook with burning wood, there always seems to be a burnt scent in the air. You get used to it though. Might be a problem for people with sensitive lungs and noses.
- 2 highly active volcanoes nearby, Fuego and Pacaya which recently had a major eruption. Need I say more?
- Other natural disaster threats include earthquakes and tropical storms which trigger major floods and mud slides.
- No good beaches in Guatemala so if you are a beach person, forget it.
- There is the same problem with variable gringo pricing and dishonesty as you find in Panama.
- People generally mind their own business and therefore rarely greet you with buenas.
- Has more of a rustic, vigilante, wild west feel. May turn off some people and turn on others.

I'm sure there are more negatives that I will discover as I spend more time there. But so far the positives far outweigh the negatives. So it's all good.

EDIT: Speaking of positives, here's one of them which is incredible fine dining in La Antigua:

http://www.degustantigua.com/en/users/5.html?Itemid=121

I doubt if there is any article that does a country justice. Look at all the people who visit or live in Panama and the variety of experiences and opinions they hold. I personally have not had any problems anywhere I've been but have seen others who have. I have very good feelings about Guatemala but have seen much greater amounts of poverty than in Costa Rica or Panama. I wasn't aware of decent health care but I haven't researched it either. I haven't visited the Pacific coast. I'm hoping to do another motorcycle trip this winter that will involve driving through Guatemala again. I'll look at things much closer this time. Last time I was pretty much in state of perpetual enjoyment. I've been in a lot of places, primarily in the northern hemisphere, but haven't seen any place with nicer scenery than Guatemala.

I should make a comment on fine dining. On one of my trips a friend and I were in Panajachel (I think) on Lago Atilan and we ran across some Guatemalan businessmen on a day motorcycle trip. They adopted us and we rode with them to Antiqua where we went to a restaurant that had one of the largest, best steaks I've ever had. I was surprised. I generally don't think much of Central American steaks.
The roads are okay but nothing great. They aren't as good as in Panama but better than Costa Rica (which is not difficult). There are limited ways to drive to Guatemala and the road connecting Belize and Guatemala is not maintained; apparently due to a border disputer between the two countries (according to what I was told).

I think I'd rather hear about the bad stuff...there's way, way more positive only stuff out there.